This early injury report covers the key player injuries from the previous week’s NFL action.
QUARTERBACKS
Robert Griffin III, WAS â Undisclosed Knee Injury
Redskins’ QB Robert Griffin III was pulled from Sunday’s game against the 49ers because of an undisclosed left knee injury, however the injury is not believed to be serious and team officials expect him to play in Week 9. Griffin was hurt on a pass play in the fourth quarter. He was hit on what would be his final throw of the day and the pressure resulted in his second interception of the afternoon. He stayed down for a few moments, but he got up and jogged to the sideline. The medical staff examined his left knee and while the nature of the injury has not been made public team officials don’t expect it to be an issue. This is not the same knee that was surgically repaired earlier this year. Griffin had reconstruction surgery on his right knee after tearing the ACL during last season’s playoff loss and this recent injury is to his left. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week, but it looks like he will be able to play in Week 9. Â
Michael Vick, PHI â Strained Hamstring
Eagles’ QB Michael Vick will miss at least one game and potentially more after aggravating his previously injured hamstring during Sunday’s game against the Giants. Vick, who has already missed two games this season because of a hamstring strain, did not look very comfortable moving around from the get go. He aggravated the injury on his only carry of the game in the first quarter and after trying to play through it he was finally pulled from the game in the second quarter. Vick later said he felt a “pop” in his leg and while he doesn’t think it is as bad as the first time he injured it team officials don’t expect him to play in Week 9 and there is a good chance that he will be out for an extended period of time. If Nick Foles, who has been out with a concussion, is cleared by the medical staff he will likely get the start for the Eagles against the Raiders.
RUNNING BACKS
Jamaal Charles, KC â Undisclosed Knee Injury
Chiefs’ RB Jamaal Charles briefly left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed knee injury and his status for Week 9 is currently unknown. Charles was hurt when was tackled on a third quarter carry and after being examined on the sideline he was seen on a stationary bike getting loose and staying warm. He was then cleared to return and he was able to finish the game. As expected he experienced soreness in his knee after the game, however the nature and severity of his injury is currently unknown. We’ll likely get an update on his status at some point later today.
Zack Stacy, STL â Undisclosed Ankle Injury
Rams’ RB Zack Stacy left Monday night’s game against the Seahawks with an undisclosed left ankle injury and his status for Week 9 is currently unknown. Stacy appeared to twist his ankle on the final drive of the game and he was in a lot of pain and discomfort while on the sidelines. The training staff did tape his ankle and shoe and he returned for the final play of the game, but he was used as a decoy. The exact nature and severity of the injury are unknown and the results of the X-rays done after the game have not been made public. We’ll let you know as soon as information on Stacy’s injury and status become available.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ryan Broyles, DET â Torn Achilles Tendon
Lions’ WR Ryan Broyles, who left Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with a lower leg injury, has been diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon and will not play again this season. Broyles suffered the injury on a punt return in the second half and had to be helped off the field. According to reports an MRI on Monday confirmed that the Achilles was ruptured and he is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery today (Tuesday). Broyles has a history of injury problems having torn both his right and left ACLs and there is some concern that his career could be in jeopardy. Hopefully all goes well with his recovery.
Brandon Gibson, MIA â Ruptured Patellar Tendon
Dolphins’ WR Brandon Gibson will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Patriots. Gibson, who was hurt in the first quarter, had to be carted off the field and according to reports the team’s medical staff immediately knew the nature of the injury. An MRI on Monday morning confirmed that the patellar tendon was torn and he is scheduled to have to have it surgically reattached sometime this week. If all goes well with the procedure and his recovery he should be back in time for the start of training camp next year.Â
Stevie Johnson, BUF â Strained Hip Flexor
Bills’ WR Stevie Johnson has been diagnosed with a strained hip flexor muscle and team officials are optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 9. Johnson injured his hip in the third quarter of Sunday’s game and he spent much of the second half limping around the field. It was originally believed that he aggravated a previous groin strain, however a post-game examination revealed that he suffered a new injury. Fortunately it isn’t considered serious and according to reports he didn’t need to undergo an MRI. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week, but there is a good chance that he will be healthy enough to play in Week 9 against the Chiefs.
TIGHT ENDS
Julius Thomas, DEN â Sprained Ankle
Broncos’ TE Julius Thomas is considered questionable for the team’s next game in Week 10 after an MRI on Monday confirmed that he is dealing with an ankle sprain. Thomas was hurt on the opening drive of the second half in Sunday’s game against the Redskins. It looked like he rolled his ankle and while he was able to walk off the field on his own he was clearly having trouble moving around on the sideline. X-rays in the locker room were reportedly negative and Thomas later tweeted out that his injury was not a high ankle sprain. However Thomas has dealt with ankle problems before and the team’s medical staff will almost certainly treat this injury conservatively. The Broncos don’t play again until Week 10, so he’ll have an extra week to rest and recover. We’ll keep you posted on his status.
